A couple of days ago my experience as a novice buddist was heightened by a visit to the Taplow Centre.
For many buddists a kind of "re-charge" centre and why wouldn't it be with it's rich history;
spectacular archetecture and overall sence of PEACE and calm.
This accompanied by the rich lessons learnt therein
and not just in the lectures
but just in wandering the grounds,
meeting other novices and elders,
sharing life experiences undernearth a canopy of calm
was precisely what anyone
in fast-paced London would welcome
at the drop of a hat.
There is a saying that when Sensei opened the doors many years ago,
he remarked to all gathered,
to come in " THIS IS YOUR HOME!"
and like so many first time visitors before me,
I truly felt that overwhelming sence of peace
of returning to a place you had been before,
where you had loved and laughed, cried and shared.
A place you could truly call home.
NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO
